Salah is having a sensational season and is already leading the race for the Golden Boot. His teammate Van Dijk says a defender at his best can stop the Pharaoh, although the 26-year-old himself suffered two goals from Salah when he was playing for Southampton before moving to Liverpool.

“You need to be on your best,” said Van Dijk. “Mo’s that kind of player that you just need to be on your best.

“There are ways to stop him, but I’m not going to tell you because I don’t want our opponents to think about it! When he is 100% and in the zone then he can beat anyone.

“Is he a goal machine in training? Well, he tries! But as a defender, we need to step up our game obviously and makes sure we are aware. It makes us better. That’s what we want, that’s what it’s going to be like at a top club.

“Mo is a great guy and works hard, just like the rest of the guys.”

After taking Egypt to the World Cup for the first time in 28 years, Van Dijk finds Salah able to cope with pressure in complete humbleness.

“He is already a pretty big star, if you make sure Egypt are going to the World Cup then you’re going to be known all over the world,” said the defender.

“I think everyone in the dressing room are just normal guys. Nobody feels better than each other, everybody is working hard for each other to get the win. That’s a very good thing to have in a team.

“Everyone knows our team spirit. Everyone needs to be giving 100% and I think we do that. That’s what everyone knows. That’s how we feel as well.

“Everybody can see how much quality he has got, how many goals he has been scoring.

“He’s having an amazing season but he needs to keep going, the season is still now.”

Salah, who joined Liverpool from AS Roma in the summer, has already scored 37 goals in all competitions in his debut season with the Reds, while breaking a series of records and collecting a number of awards.

London School for Journalism student.
KingFut community manager, Saba7o Korah editorial team, Writing for Football Italia and I have featured for FourFourTwo, These Football Times and The Gentleman Ultra.